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July 15, 2016 ·

8 Things Americans Will NOT Find in Disneyland Paris

Blog· Disneyland Paris· MOVE· Travel

Bienvenue!  In preparation for the quickly approaching inaugural Disneyland Paris Princess Half Marathon Weekend, I thought I would kick-off a new series on Bastille Day! My Guide to Americans in Disneyland Paris will share tidbits I picked up on my last trip to this French resort and will be a primer for newcomers.  To start at the beginning, I thought I would highlight items that stood out to me as a Walt Disney World/Disneyland regular.  As I have said before, the differences found at each Disney Park are not good or bad, yet simply magic of a different color.

8 Things Americans Will NOT Find in Disneyland Paris

8 Things Americans Will NOT Find in Disneyland Paris

1.  Disney’s Magical Express

Orlando vacationers have become used to (and love) this free shuttle service from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resort. Not having to worry about gathering your luggage from the baggage carousel or navigating the 30-minute drive to your hotel is certainly a dream come true.  Though you won’t find this service at Disneyland Resort either, it sure would be a welcome addition to the Disneyland Paris experience.  There, your choices of transportation are:
–  Magic Shuttle  (Not a Disney-owned company)
Roundtrip coach bus service from Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports will cost approximately 36 Euro.
–   TGV high-speed train between CDG Airport Terminal 2 and Disneyland Paris takes about 12 minutes and tickets start at 18 Euro for a one-way, second-class trip.

Paris Marne-la-Vallee /Chessy Station

The Marne-la-Vallee /Chessy Station in Disney Village

–   RER trains will require a transfer in Paris proper, take approximately 90 minutes, and start at 17 Euro for a one-way trip. Watch those strikes!
**  Be aware, that if you lug giant, multiple suitcases (like I always do) there is a significant outdoor walk from Marne-la-Vallee /Chessy station to your on-site hotel. The Disneyland Hotel Paris is the closest and Disney’s Newport Bay Club the farthest.  If the weather is not ideal, (and as I describe later, often it is not) it may be a chore.

Disney’s Sequoia Lodge

2.  Pixie Dusted Hotels

I’ve been fortunate to have stayed at all three Disneyland Resort hotels, and 90% of those at Walt Disney World Resort. However, the hotels at Disneyland Paris are… different.  (Read Disneyland Hotel Paris | An American’s Review.)  Granted, a couple of the hotels have undergone refurbishment since I was there last. In general, they appeared worn and not as “sparkly” as what we in the US are used to.

The Cast Members are a bit more reserved, the rooms lacking attention to detail (when we stayed at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge last, there was a hole- literally a hole I could put my finger through- to the outside!), and overall, lacked that reliable pixie dust.   There are seven Disney Hotels on-property, ranging from “five-keys” of quality to zero-keys, and priced commensurately.  Be aware, the nightly prices include park tickets and breakfast, but one night at Disneyland Paris Hotel with a Classic Room starts at $1,424.  By contrast, a one-night package with tickets at its Walt Disney World Resort cousin- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa-  will cost $638.  I think the numbers speak for themselves!  Nearby, you can find eight less expensive Partner Hotels, but unlike Disneyland Resort, these off-property hotels are not in walking distance of the parks.

3.  FastPass+

Americans in Disneyland Paris will not find FastPass+ nor MagicBands, but you will find a FASTPASS system similar to that of Disneyland Resort.  Unlike the USA parks, there are two extra tiers of tickets:
–  Disney Hotel FASTPASS
One given for each day of their stay to each Guest staying in a Classic or Deluxe Room at Disneyland Hotel Paris, and Club Rooms at Disney’s Hotel New York, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, and Disney’s Sequoia Lodge.  (Not valid between the hours of  1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.)
–  VIP FASTPASS
Unlimited access to all FASTPASS queues for Guests staying in suites and the Castle Club at Disneyland Hotel Paris, Disney’s Hotel New York, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, and Disney’s Sequoia Lodge.

Restaurant Agrabah Cafe

4.  Fine French Dining?

This was possibly the most disappointing part of our 12-day trip to Disneyland Paris. Unfortunately, I would not have had such high expectations had I been warned.  I will not let you suffer a similar fate!  Though we dined at every table-service restaurant in both parks, and resort hotels- we had but one standout meal.  (Walt’s- an American Restaurant)  Most meals ranged from fair to good, and many of the menus seemed limited in scope.  As you may have heard, alcohol is served at both parks. So perhaps you will not mind a lackluster dinner or two.

Disney Village

5.  An Expansive Downtown Disney Area

While there can be no comparisons made to the new Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, most Disney Parks fans in the US have certain expectations. They have come to expect a shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment area that supplements their experience outside the parks.  Disney Village is a smaller-scale region that hosts the Rainforest Cafe, Starbucks, and Earl of Sandwich, along with American favorites such as McDonald’s and Planet Hollywood. Cafe Mickey is also located here.  You will find a cinema and “PanoraMagique” (same operator as Characters in Flight) and the requisite Disney Store!  If you are staying at any of the on-property hotels (with the exception of Disneyland Hotel Paris and Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch), you will need to walk through Disney Village on your way to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Additionally, expect security delays…

Disneyland Paris Disney Village

Bring your umbrella!

6.   Extra Magic Hours at Night

Guests staying at a Disney Hotel will be permitted up to two-hour early access into designated parks on assigned days.  There are no evening Magic Hours at Disneyland Paris.  In fact, if you are traveling in the off-season, you may find very abbreviated operating hours. For Americans in Disneyland Paris, this is certainly not what we have become accustomed to in the states.  (During our June stay, both parks regularly closed at 6:00 pm, which prevented us from appreciating the evening lights and setting.)

Americans in Disneyland Paris
Disney’s Hotel New York Ice Skating Rink on “Rockefeller Plaza”

7.  Magical Weather

Far from the subtropical zones of California and Florida, Paris weather can be persnickety.  In fact, other regions of Europe were considered for EuroDisney’s location for exactly this reason.  The temperate climate found in Disneyland Paris can be unpredictable, so be prepared for a wide range of weather factors. Including snow.  During that same June visit, the skating rink at Disney’s Hotel New York was still open for business.  I don’t believe I took my thick coat off  once during those twelve summer days!  If you are running the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon, the expected low temperature is 55 degrees and the average high temperature 70 degrees. American runners in Disneyland Paris will consider this temperate climate ideal for racing!

 

8.  Enforced Smoking Areas

Though I am encouraged to encounter less and less smoking every time I visit Europe, expect to find a significant amount of smoking in Disneyland Paris proper. And not necessarily in the designated smoking areas.  This is a cultural difference that Americans will just have to get used to.  For now.

Vive la difference!!  I don’t intend to be overly critical, but I do feel that forewarned is forearmed.  Americans in Disneyland Paris need to manage their magical expectations. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the true beauty and wonder of our European cousin. My return to run through Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant will be un reve!!

 

An American’s Top Picks for Dining at Disneyland ParisVoila! Inaugural Disneyland Paris- Val d’Europe Half Marathon Weekend Medals

Our Favorite Attraction at Disneyland Paris | Crush’s Coaster

Disneyland Hotel Paris | An American’s Review
Place de Remy | The Review
10 Things WDW Fans Will Love About Disneyland Paris 
Top 5 Things Disneyland Fans Will Love at Disneyland Paris
10 Reasons I’m Dreaming of Disneyland Paris
Running Through Disneyland Paris!

Is the Disneyland Paris Dream a runDisney Reality?!The First 20 Years of Disneyland Paris

 

8 Things Americans Will NOT Find in Disneyland Paris
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fairytales and Fitness says

    July 18, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Great post! I have often been intrigued with the resorts here. When my sister visited DL Paris, she did not stay at a Disney resort and her hotel was not all that great(compare to American standards) either. Going off to read your other review now! -M

    • blogging says

      July 18, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you! There are so many unique plusses at this park, so I thought I would get this one out of the way first!

  2. Becky Ginther says

    July 18, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    This is very useful as I will be going for the first time for the half! Glad to hear the expected temperatures sound pretty ideal!

    • blogging says

      July 19, 2016 at 12:58 am

      Thank you Becky- I feel it's all about perspective. The good stuff is up next!! 😀

  3. Heidi Strawser says

    July 20, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Sounds like the weather would be great for running, but maybe not the best for just plain park visiting! Part of me wants to go there someday and another part is like "whatever!" LOL What a great – and very thorough – post!

    • blogging says

      July 22, 2016 at 8:08 am

      I regret that this post may lend a negative light to this park Heidi- maybe you should read "10 Things WDW Fans Will Love About Disneyland Paris" before you are too turned off! Quick!! 😉

  4. Flowers Croon says

    July 26, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Please be sure to stop by my room at the newly renovated Newport Beach Club to check it out and to your list of reviews!I wonder how great the renovation is?

    • blogging says

      July 29, 2016 at 1:22 am

      I can't wait Jindy- as long as you come see MY "new" room at Sequoia!! 😉

  5. Rachel Langer says

    July 29, 2016 at 1:15 am

    I found all of this completely fascinating! I will probably never make it to Disneyland Paris, so I really enjoyed hearing about all the differences.

    • blogging says

      July 29, 2016 at 1:23 am

      Well thank you Rachel! You never know… make that wish upon a star!!

  6. Julie Bigboy says

    July 29, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    I've seen photos of snow on the grounds at Disneyland Paris! Charming and soooo different than the other parks!

    • blogging says

      July 29, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      I realize I simply MUST get to the other Disney Parks around the world Julie!!

  7. Lisa Cameron says

    August 2, 2016 at 1:55 am

    I can see why people may be disappointed especially after visiting DL or WDW. But it's Paris! That in and of itself is exciting. As long as you know what to expect going in, it can be a magical trip.

    • blogging says

      August 2, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      I hated hearing some negative reviews from folks who had (naturally) high expectations, so I thought an honest review of DLP, from my point of view, might be helpful. Thank you!

  8. Becky Ginther says

    September 28, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    I just got back from my first trip and I agree with everything! The smoking (which as you said is a Europe thing and not just a Disneyland thing) was surprising to me and awful for my allergies. We were disappointed in the overpriced mediocre food (though we did have a great meal at Walt's). But despite the things you mentioned we still loved our trip there! I'd heard going in that the food wasn't all that great so it was nice to be prepared.

  9. AvionBell says

    November 11, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    It is thinking moment for me that American is not find in Paris, Paris is always my favorite tourist place of all time and It is wonderful. Get the affordable package of Coach Holidays To Disneyland Paris for excellent trip.

Trackbacks

  1. Walt Disney World 1992 | 50 Days to 50 Years - White Glove World says:
    September 3, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    […] In 1992 my favourite place in the world opened … Disneyland Paris! I was lucky enough to visit the year it opened (thanks to my awesome parents!!) and I’ve been back 7 times since! I’m also hoping to return next year for the 20th Anniversary Celebrations! […]

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